Can Single Page Applications Deliver a World-Class Web UX?

By reducing the number of round trips to the server, Single Page Applications (SPA) promise a better user experience through improved performance and shorter load times. We discuss the benefits and limitations single page applications from a UX-focus perspective: How fast is fast enough? What are the tradeoffs and are they worth it? Besides a faster site, what other positives outweigh the tradeoffs? We look to two Citrix products, GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar, that have transitioned to SPA and resolve whether the new framework presents a clear advantage for the end user experience. These case studies also illuminate broader implications for the UX practitioner. For those not focused specifically on web development, we also reflect on strategies for providing UX leadership when transitioning to new architecture while maintaining a world-class user experience.